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The tea party Republicans have weakened our country. The world knows now that our democracy has problems. A small minority can block the rule of the majority. I am afraid for our country.

Ann Lee Morrisey

Back in business

I sincerely prayed that the bipartisan leadership in Washington, D.C., would agree to re-open the federal government soon so it could get back to doing the things it does best.

That would include wasting billions of dollars in duplicative programs, drowning our future generations in debt, running up huge deficits, funding pork barrel projects, creating new entitlements that can't be paid for and wreaking havoc in our health care system.

I was appalled at the government for shutting down the World War II memorial because of the shutdown.

But I was incredibly impressed by the enormous number of men who fought for our freedom and showed up, anyway. And kudos to the congressmen — both Republican and Democrat — who assisted these heroes in moving the barricades so that these great people could visit the memorial site. And I thank those who never returned home — may they rest in peace.

These men stormed the beaches at Normandy.

Did our government really think that men who risked their lives would let some tape keep them away? I think they underestimated the greatest generation.

We are free because of their sacrifice. Thank you, World War II veterans.

Thanks to the Express-News for publishing the articulate article by Stephen Amberg.

He makes several important points by using factual information, not emotional hype: First, most of the great increase in federal spending occurred because of the war in Iraq and the Great Recession, while the shortfall of revenue is related to the huge tax cuts under President Bush and the poor economic performance of the 2000s.

Also, evidence shows that insurance rates will be lower for most people who go to the new insurance marketplaces, and many of the specific features of the Affordable Care Act are very popular.

Opposition to the ACA is not representative of the American people — “The 80 Republicans who signed a letter demanding the defunding of Obamacare were elected in mostly rural and small-town districts that voted for Romney by more than 60 percent.”

Redistricting to protect Republicans has skewed representation. Institutional construction of outsize Republican power helps explain why House Republicans misread public opinion and make unreasonable demands on the government.

Re: “Ignoring the truth still has its consequences,” Another View, Oct. 6:

I was delighted to read the op-ed by professors Andrew E. Dressler and Gerald R. North. A small group of climate change deniers keep distorting the evidence and confusing people.

This results in inaction, which puts our children at risk. We need scientists who speak out and tell the truth.

I used to think myself that climate change deniers might have a point. However, as I studied the physics of global warming and read everything I could on the subject, it became clear to me that the climate scientists were indeed correct.

The evidence shows that global warming is happening and that it is mostly caused by human activities. Everyone does not have the time or education to examine the evidence at depth, but if you can't, at least consider the source and scientific consensus.

At a minimum, be honest with yourself and put your political ideology aside.